Bandai SmartPet Robot Dog

If owning a real pooch is completely out of the question, the Bandai SmartPet Robot Dog for iPod and iPhone might not be the worst substitute. You may not have to settle for goldfish, lizards or guinea pigs after all.

Virtual pets have been around for years. Actually, it was Bandai who brought us the Tamagotchi Pets. So now they’re onto bigger and better, and the birth of iPods, iPhones and their apps for everything have given the company even more inspiration.

Includes three special cases (1 for iPhone 4/4S, 1 for iPhone 3GS, 1 for iPod touch 4th generation)

Instructions: Japanese (but easy to play with and understand)

When you combine your iPhone with the SmartPet Robot Dog, your cute little companion comes to life, barking and acting like a dog – minus all the work that comes with having a real furball. The dog can also dance, wag his tail, make several facial expressions, and obey commands. I bet he can even fetch the phone.

The Bandai SmartPet Robot Dog is available for pre-order through the Japan Trend Shop for $82 US. They expect to have the robots in stock by April 30, 2012. It looks like you have your choice of black or white.

About Patra Beaulieu

Patra has a background in molecular biology and was a former writer / translator for one of Canada's major web-based entertainment news providers. She currently resides in Ottawa, Ontario and is into alpine skiing, biking, music, movies, dining, baking, traveling, spending time with family, friends and her mini goldendoodle.

Very disappointed. Bought the smartpet device in Japan. Came back to US & could not find the app from iTunes store!!! Seriously?!?!? I even called the apple store support line. They said they never heard of it. Great…… Out ¥5630 ….anyone have any ideas?

I’m really annoyed that the company sold me this toy 3 MONTHS AGO but failed to tell me the software wouldn’t be available in English!! DON’T BUY IT UNLESS THE COMPANY RELEASES THE APP ON THE APPLE STORE!!

Excuse my English I’m French. you must download the application on itunes japan (choose Japanese flag down itunes). find the application “smart pet ” then create a new apple id with a false address in Japan (eg a hotel) and choose “none” payment mode. The problem is that the application is currently in Japanese.

Apparently you can’t create an iTunes App Store ID without entering a payment type now. Is there a service somewhere that can order from the iTunes store for foreigners, kind of like the service that lets you order from Amazon.co.jp?

Buy a low value pre-paid iTunes Japan voucher code off the internet. ‘Redeem’ this on iTunes Japan to register a false address using a newly created iTunes ID (NOT an existing one). Now you can download ‘Smartpet’, which is free. You will need to change your iDevice settings to collect the app from your iTunes (new ID!) and then change it back once it is on your device. As for English instructions – I have yet to find a complete set – any friendly Japanese out there willing to help?